TIPPERARY native Greg Broderick aboard the Captain Clover (ISH) mare Arraghbeg Clover (ISH) has recorded a superb win at the 5 Year Old final at the FEI / WBFSH World Breeding Jumping Championships for Young Horses at Lanaken today (Sunday), with Bertram Allen taking the Silver medal.
Thursday and Friday's classes saw 242 horse and rider combinations compete for a place in today's prestigious final class.
Sixty-three combinations successfully qualified for the chance to take on the challenging course in the final with 25 making it through to the jump off. Eighteenth into the ring, Broderick delivered a faultless round in an exceptional time of 39.72. Allen who was next to go, was just outside that time with Ballywalter Farms's Castlefield Denver (KWPN), clear in 40.86.
Speaking about today's win, Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) Director of Breeding and Programmes Alison Corbally said: "This is a fantastic win for Greg and the breeder of Arraghbeg Clover (ISH) Agata Leonard, who was present to witness the mare becoming 5 Year Old World Champion.
"Arraghbeg Clover (ISH) has performed impeccably well all year, topping the Irish Sport Horse (ISH) Studbook Series 5 Year Old League, 3rd at the 5 Year Old Final at the RDS Dublin Horse Show and winning the 5 / 6 Year Old Breeders Classic. To win here at Lanaken is a tremendous achievement for the Irish Sport Horse Studbook to win so convincingly from 242 of the world's leading studbook horses competing here at Lanaken.
"Throughout the Championships there has been a marvellous team spirit and thanks must go the Chef d'Equipe Jack Doyle, the breeders, owners, riders, supporters and grooms who turned out the Irish team horses impeccably."
Although not riding an Irish Horse, Bertram Allen claimed a second Gold Medal for Irish riders with the KWPN bred Barnike.
In the 6 Year Old division, Allen reigned supreme in a blistering time of 37.71 to finish the best of the 39 starters in the prestigious Championship.
Prior to this on Saturday, the Irish Sport Horse (ISH) Studbook won 5 Year Old Consolation class of the FEI / WBFSH World Breeding Jumping Championships.
Alexander Butler took first place in the 5 Year Old Consolation Class aboard the Tinaranas Inspector (WEFSF) mare Talks Cheap (ISH) and Galway native Thomas O'Brien piloted the Darco (BWP) stallion Codarco (ISH) to place second in the 6 Year Old class in a super-fast time of 67.54. There was a significant increase in the number of 5 year olds at the Championships this year with a 26.4% increase in the numbers from last year. The starting field in the 5 Year Old Consolation numbered 148 and Butler led from the midway point. Putting in a faultless performance, he crossed the finish line with just under two seconds to spare proving unbeatable for the remainder of the field.